21 Bourbon co*cktail Recipes to Make Tonight (2024)

If you ask us, no home bar is complete without a bottle of bourbon. "Both Scotch and bourbon arewhisk(e)y, meaning they’re wood-aged spirits that have been distilled from a fermented mash of grains," writes Food & Wine contributor Brian Freedman. "Bourbon is based on corn, not barley. According to regulations, it must be composed of a mash bill (basically the list of grains that have been used) consisting of at least 51% corn."

We're amazed by bourbon's versatility when it comes to making sweet, tart, and warming co*cktails. For something unexpectedly tangy, try your hand at a Tamarind Whiskey Sour. Entertaining a crowd? We'd recommend whipping up a batch of Whiskey Chai. It's also worth getting comfortable with classic bourbon co*cktails, like the Mint Julep, New York Sour, and Paper Plane. Read on for our favorite bourbon co*cktails to make anytime.

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Winter Berries co*cktail

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Fruity, rich, and mildly sweet dark-berry liqueur plays well with effervescent sparkling wine in this Winter Berries co*cktail, while grain-forward bourbon adds a touch of heat. Garnish this bubbly sipper with a thin half-moon slice of lemon.

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Maple-Bourbon Smash

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Richly flavored dark amber maple syrup combines with citrus juices and seltzer to make this lightened riff on an Old-Fashioned co*cktail.

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Boulevardier

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The Boulevardier is the whiskey lover's Negroni. Made with three simple ingredients — bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth — this straightforward co*cktail comes together in seconds with staples you likely always keep in your home bar.

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Alpine Brew

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This delicious, highly caffeinated co*cktail combines bourbon, coffee liqueur, cold brew, maple syrup, and walnut bitters.

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Tamarind Whiskey Sour

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Tamarind imbues any dish with a telltale sharp, sweet, yet tart kick. It adds just the right amount of excitement to surprise even the most dedicated drinker of this classic co*cktail.

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Paper Plane

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Though the Paper Plane is easy to put together and it's plenty easy-drinking, it offers a complex flavor profile: still bright and fresh but with enough heft to make it autumn-appropriate.

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Bourbon-Tea Julep

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Tannins from black tea add a beautiful hint of bitterness to this variation on a classic Mint Julep. The citrus oil, oleo saccharum, is made by steeping lemon peels in sugar. Its bright flavor is the perfect lift to finish each sip.

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Shadow Woman

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This Old-Fashioned–style co*cktail gets a fruity kick from pear brandy and gentle sweetness from honey; the bourbon adds a bite without overpowering the drink. Pear brandy is a highly aromatic and unsweetened liquor made from fermented pears.

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Banana-Rum Old-Fashioned

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A bold, strong co*cktail with both high-proof bourbon and light rum gets a hint of floral sweetness from mellow crème de banane.

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Withering Sunrise

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Bourbon and puréed mango are a match made in heaven.

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New York Sour

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The perfect balance of fruity red wine and smoky-sweet bourbon, the New York Sour co*cktail is a classic for a reason. Shaking with large ice cubes chills the co*cktail without diluting it — and those large cubes made with ice sphere molds look great in a rocks glass, too. If you're feeling adventurous, add an egg white to the shaker for a thicker viscosity.

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Mint Julep

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The Mint Julep has been the iconic drink of the Kentucky Derby since 1939, but references to the co*cktail go as far back as the year 900, when it was sipped for medicinal purposes. When New Orleans bartender Chris McMillian was at Bar UnCommon, he recited an ode while mixing Mint Juleps, written in the 1890s by a Kentucky newspaperman, that calls the bourbon and mint co*cktail "the very dream of drinks."

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Dog Days of Summer Ale

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Cherry heering gives this beer-bourbon co*cktail its striking red hue.

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Milk Punch

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This classic, creamy milk punch will warm you up on the coldest winter evenings.

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Whiskey Samash

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This Hanukkah co*cktail uses fig syrup to create a playful take on a whiskey smash co*cktail.

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Hot Toddy

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Is it really wintertime without a good hot toddy? We think not.

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Ginger and Bourbon

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This simple, soothing wintertime co*cktail is a favorite for good reason.

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Whiskey Chai

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Think of this comforting whiskey chai as a nightcap meant to satiate a crowd after a big night out. We're especially fond of the Zanzibar peppercorns from Burlap and Barrel, which add a bright, almost fruity touch to this sweet sipper.

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Apricot Nectarine Julep

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A puree of roasted apricots and nectarines brings out bourbon's notes of vanilla and nutmeg, making for the ultimate late-summer co*cktail. Pour some of the reserved puree on top of the crushed ice for a co*cktail that almost resembles a Hawaiian shave ice. The same roast-and-puree technique can be used for more stone fruits, such as plums and sour cherries.

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Homemade Eggnog

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To make rich, creamy homemade eggnog, you'll need a double boiler and a whisk. In just two steps, you'll have a festive drink made ahead. Be sure to chill it thoroughly before serving, and give it a final whisk, too, to make sure everything is blended.

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In Cold Blood

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Andrew Volk says this is currently the most popular order at Portland Hunt & Alpine Club in Maine. The drink, according to Volk, is "approachable but geekywith the salt," which he adds to balance the bitterness of the artichoke-flavored aperitif Cynar.

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21 Bourbon co*cktail Recipes to Make Tonight (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular bourbon co*cktail? ›

Old Fashioned

The first recorded mention of the Old Fashioned co*cktail dates back to 1862 in a recipe book. It is, without question, one of the most popular bourbons or whiskey drinks and is one of the most popular co*cktails in the world.

What is good to mix with bourbon? ›

Pretty much anything, but water, coca-cola, soda water, ginger ale, coffee, angostura bitters, cherry, and anything that complements the taste of bourbons like caramel, vanilla, oak, toasted rye, oatmeal, cornbread, cinnamon, and chocolate.

What are the top 10 whiskey co*cktails? ›

10 MOST POPULAR classic whisky based co*cktails IN INDIA
  1. Old Fashioned. The Old Fashioned is as classic as it sounds. ...
  2. Atholl Brose. ...
  3. Hot Toddy. ...
  4. Whisky Sour. ...
  5. Boulevardier. ...
  6. Bobby Burns. ...
  7. Penicillin. ...
  8. Rob Roy.

What soda to mix bourbon with? ›

Cola will be the most obvious choice when you're making 2 ingredient bourbon drinks that include soda. You can pour 2 ounces of bourbon and 4 ounces of cola into a rocks glass filled with ice to make a bourbon and cola drink.

What's the smoothest sipping bourbon? ›

Four of the Smoothest Bourbon Picks
  • 1) Boone County Distilling 12 Year Single Barrel ~ $79.99. @northern_bourbon's Pick | Boone County Eighteen 33 Straight Bourbon Whiskey. ...
  • 2) Old Forester 1920 ~ $59.99. ...
  • 3) Elmer T. Lee ~ $54.99. ...
  • 4) Wild Turkey 17 Year Master's Keep - ~ $149.99.

What is the most requested co*cktail? ›

Here are 10 of the most popular co*cktails that will always be in style.
  • Margarita. The classic Margarita co*cktail has been one of the most popular co*cktails in America for years and still remains on top. ...
  • Cosmopolitan. ...
  • Daiquiri. ...
  • Gimlet. ...
  • Manhattan. ...
  • Negroni. ...
  • Old Fashioned. ...
  • Sex on the Beach.

What should every bourbon drinker have? ›

We've curated a list of our favorite gifts for bourbon lovers (besides our own, of course).
  • MONOGRAM WHISKEY GLASSES.
  • THREE GLASS WHISKEY FLIGHT BOARD.
  • ENGRAVED DECANTER SET.
  • BOURBON NOSING KIT.
  • MIXOLOGY SET.
  • CRAFTHOUSE BY FORTESSA co*ckTAIL SMOKING BOX.
  • BOURBON BARREL STAVE WOOD SIGN.
  • BOURBON VANILLA SOAP.

What juice is best with bourbon? ›

The perfect bourbon co*cktail: Two parts bourbon One part pomegranate juice Splash of maple syrup Juice of 1/2 mandarin orange Top with ginger beer Garnish with rosemary sprig, mandarin twist and pomegranate seeds.

What pairs well with bourbon? ›

Bourbon enhances the flavors of fatty meats like country ham, salmon, brisket, pork ribs, and pulled pork, making them an excellent choice to pair with bourbon.

What is the king of all co*cktails? ›

Dale DeGroff (born September 21, 1948, Rhode Island), also known as "the King of co*cktails" or "King co*cktail", is an American bartender and author.

What are the big 6 co*cktails? ›

Embury's six basic drinks are the Daiquiri, the Jack Rose, the Manhattan, the Martini, the Old Fashioned, and the Sidecar. Embury's preferred recipe for each is: Daiquiri. Shake with much finely crushed ice and strain well into a chilled co*cktail glass.

What are the 6 master co*cktails? ›

Get a handle on those six drinks, the authors write, and you'll be able to create innumerable variations. They are the Old Fashioned, Martini, Daiquiri, Sidecar, Whiskey Highball, and Flip.

What is a bourbon and co*ke called? ›

When bourbon is used, it is often called bourbon and co*ke, or more generically, bourbon and cola. The "co*ke" part of the name may tend to imply that the Coca-Cola brand of cola is used, but it is common for any brand of cola to be referred to as "co*ke", at least in the American South. Whiskey and co*ke. co*cktail.

What tastes good mixed with bourbon? ›

Bourbon mixes well many beverages including cola, soda water, coffee, orange juice, fortified wine, and other spirits. Bourbon is a versatile spirit that can be enjoyed on its own or mixed in a co*cktail.

What to mix with bourbon for beginners? ›

Gold Rush. This is one of our best bourbon co*cktails because it's so easy: It's just bourbon, fresh lemon juice, and honey—you don't even have to make a honey syrup—shaken with ice and then strained.

What is the most popular way to drink bourbon? ›

Straight or neat is the best way to enjoy bourbon and let all the subtle intricacies of the aromas and flavors truly come together. While often used interchangeably, there's a subtle difference between neat and straight. Neat means that you don't add any water or ice.

What is the most famous bourbon? ›

For many people, Maker's Mark is the point of entry into the world of bourbon. From the iconic red wax dripping down the neck of the bottle to the sweet, balanced character of the liquid itself, Maker's is always a reliable option to sip on its own, with a large rock, or in a co*cktail.

How do you order a bourbon co*cktail? ›

When ordering a bourbon-based co*cktail, simply ask the bartender for the specific co*cktail you would like, using bourbon as the base spirit. Examples include a bourbon Manhattan, Old Fashioned, or Mint Julep. If you're uncertain which co*cktail to try, feel free to ask the bartender for their recommendation.

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